India achieved a significant milestone on Thursday with the successful flight testing of the Indigenous Technology Cruise Missile (ITCM) from the Integrated Test Range at Chandipur, located off the coast of Odisha, according to the Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO).
During the test, all subsystems of the missile performed as expected, marking a significant advancement in indigenous defense technology.
Defense Minister Rajnath Singh commended DRDO for the flawless test flight of the ITCM, highlighting the importance of developing indigenous long-range subsonic cruise missiles powered by homegrown propulsion systems in advancing India’s defense research and development.
DRDO reported that the missile’s performance was closely monitored by a range of sensors, including radar and Electro-Optical Tracking System (EOTS), strategically positioned by the Integrated Test Range to ensure comprehensive coverage of the missile’s flight trajectory.
The flight of the missile was further observed from an Indian Air Force Su-30-Mk-I aircraft, providing additional data and insights into its performance.
The missile successfully followed its intended path using waypoint navigation and demonstrated exceptional low-altitude sea-skimming flight capabilities. This test flight also validated the reliability of the indigenous propulsion system developed by the Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE) in Bengaluru, as stated in a release by DRDO.
The development of the missile was spearheaded by the Aeronautical Development Establishment, a DRDO laboratory based in Bengaluru, with contributions from various other laboratories and Indian industries.
The successful test was attended by senior scientists from multiple DRDO laboratories, as well as representatives from the production partner, underscoring the collaborative effort and expertise involved in achieving this milestone in indigenous defense technology.